Paintbrush container and method of using same

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method and assembly for storing a paintbrush having a bristle portion and a handle portion. The bristle portion has an associated maximum width and a plurality of bristles having a plurality of ends. The invention involves (a) engaging an enclosable portion of the paintbrush including the bristle portion of the paintbrush using a first body portion; and, (b) moving a second body portion relative to the first body portion between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the first body portion and the second body portion provide an open side for inserting and removing the enclosable portion of the paintbrush. In the closed position, the first body portion engages the second body portion to enclose the open side, to closely enclose the enclosed portion of the paintbrush, and to provide a base portion for bordering and protecting the plurality of ends to the plurality of bristles.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to containers for storing paintbrushes. More particularly, the invention relates to a container for protecting the delicate bristle portion of a paintbrush.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Paintbrushes are used by virtually everyone, and vary widely in quality. High quality paintbrushes can be distinguished from lower quality paintbrushes based on the quality of the bristles that are used to apply the paint. Ideally, these bristles should be highly flexible and smooth, such that they track the texture of the surface being painted to evenly provide a coat of paint, without providing too much paint in some places and not enough paint in other places.

Unfortunately, the bristle portions of high quality paintbrushes are also very delicate. These bristles can be damaged by mechanical means, such as by being bent, particularly by pressure being applied to their ends, which causes them to buckle. Bristles can also be damaged by improper care—for example, by leaving paint on the bristles to dry, which reduces both the flexibility and smoothness of the bristles, thereby diminishing the extent to which the bristles can be used to apply a smooth coat of paint.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for paintbrushes to be properly cared for, and for the bristles of these paintbrushes to be protected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a paintbrush container assembly comprising a paintbrush having a bristle portion and a handle portion, the bristle portion having an associated maximum width and a plurality of bristles having a plurality of ends; and, a container having (a) a first body portion for engaging an enclosable portion of the paintbrush, wherein the enclosable portion of the paintbrush includes the bristle portion of the paintbrush; (b) a second body portion for engaging the enclosable portion of the paintbrush and for moving relative to the first body portion between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the first body portion and the second body portion provide an open side for inserting and removing the enclosable portion of the paintbrush. In the closed position, the first body portion engages the second body portion to close the open side, to closely enclose the enclosed portion of the paintbrush, and to provide a base portion for bordering and protecting the plurality of ends of the plurality of bristles.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of storing a paintbrush having a bristle portion and a handle portion, the bristle portion having an associated maximum width and a plurality of bristles having a plurality of ends. The method comprises (a) engaging an enclosable portion of the paintbrush including the bristle portion of the paintbrush using a first body portion; and, (b) moving a second body portion relative to the first body portion between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the first body portion and the second body portion provide an open side for inserting and removing the enclosable portion of the paintbrush. In the closed position, the first body portion engages the second body portion to enclose the open side, to closely enclose the enclosed portion of the paintbrush, and to provide a base portion for bordering and protecting the plurality of ends to the plurality of bristles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the instant invention will be more fully and completely understood in conjunction with the following detailed description of the preferred aspects of the present invention with reference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1, in a perspective view, illustrates a paintbrush enclosed in a container in a closed position in accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2, in a perspective view, illustrates the container of FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 3, in a perspective view, illustrates the container of FIG. 1 in a closed position and the paintbrush of FIG. 1 outside of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4, in a bottom view, illustrates a base of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5, in a top view, illustrates a top of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6, in an enlarged sectional view, illustrates a coupler of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7, in a side view, illustrates the container of FIG. 1 in the closed position; and,

FIG. 8, in a perspective view, illustrates a container in an open position in accordance with a second preferred aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated in a perspective view, a container 20 in accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention. The container 20 is in a closed position and encloses an enclosable portion 102 (shown in FIG. 2) of paintbrush 100. The container 20 includes a first body portion 22 and a second body portion 24, which are dimensioned to fit together around the enclosable portion 102 of the paintbrush 100. As shown in FIG. 1, a handle portion 104 of the paintbrush 100 projects through an opening 26 of the container 20. The opening 26 is too small to permit the enclosable portion 102 of the paintbrush 100 to be removed from the closed container 20. The first body portion 22 and the second body portion 24 are held together in the closed position by couplers 28 positioned on each side of the opening 26.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated in a perspective view, the container 20 of FIG. 1 in an open position in which the first body portion 22 and the second body portion 24 have been pivoted relative to each other to permit the enclosable portion 102 of the paintbrush 100 to be removed. As shown in FIG. 2, the first body portion 22 and the second body portion 24 fit snugly around the enclosable portion 102 of the paintbrush 100. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the side surfaces 106 of the enclosable portion 102 of the paintbrush 100, and the side surfaces 30 of the first body portion 22 and second body portion 24 are both substantially planar, and the dimensions of the container 20 in the closed position are selected such that a maximum depth d_(c) (shown in FIG. 4) of the container 20 in the closed position is only slightly greater than the maximum depth of the enclosable portion 102 of the paintbrush 100. Preferably, d_(c) is no more than 30 percent greater than the maximum depth of the enclosable portion 102. Still more preferably, d_(c) is no more than 10 percent greater than the maximum depth of the enclosable portion 102 of the paintbrush 100. Preferably, the side surfaces 106 are clamped between the first body portion 22 and second body portion 24 such that, when the container 20 is in the closed position, the paintbrush 100 is secured against movement relative to the container 20.

The enclosable portion 102 of the paintbrush 100 comprises a bristle portion 108. When the container 20 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 1, the bristle portion 108 is entirely enclosed by the container 20. In the closed position, a base 32 (shown best in FIG. 4) of the container 20 borders ends 110 of bristle portion 108, but is also spaced from the ends to provide a space for protecting the ends 110 of the bristle portion 108. This relationship between the dimensions of the container 20 and the paintbrush 100 is shown more clearly in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated in a perspective view, the container 20 in a closed position and the paintbrush 100 outside of the container 20, which enables relative dimensions of the container 20 and the paintbrush 100 to be compared. As shown, a width w_(c) of the container 20 is only slightly greater than a width w_(p) of the paintbrush 100. Preferably, w_(c) is less than 10% greater than w_(p), Further, the ends 110 of the bristle portion 108 of the paintbrush 100 do not extend as far down as the base 32 of the container 20, such that the ends 110 will not impinge against the interior of the base 32 when the paintbrush 100 is in the container 20 and the container 20 is closed.

Referring to FIG. 4, the base 32 of the container 20 is illustrated in a bottom view. The base 32 comprises a living hinge 34. That is, according to a preferred embodiment, the container 20 is molded as a single piece, with the first body portion 22 and second body portion 24 being connected by the living hinge 34. The living hinge 34 is biased to move the container 20 to an open position. The expense of manufacturing the container 20 is reduced by molding it as a single piece. The base 32 further includes apertures 35, which allow air to flow into the interior of the container 20 when the container 20 is the closed position, thereby allowing the bristle portion 108 of paintbrush 100 to dry within the container 20.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated in a top view, a top 36 of the container 20. The top 36 of container 20 comprises couplers 28 and opening 26. The opening 26 is provided by a first recess 26 a in first body portion 22 and a second recess 26 b in the second body portion 24. When the bias of living hinge 34 is overcome and the first body portion 22 and second body portion 24 are moved together, the first recess 26 a and second recess 26 b align together to form opening 26. When the enclosable portion 102 of paintbrush 100 is within the closed container 20, the opening 26 fits around the handle 104 of paintbrush 100. Preferably, the opening 26 is dimensioned relative to the handle 104 to not be airtight, thereby allowing the bristle portion 108 of paintbrush 100 to dry within the container 20. Alternatively, if desired, the paintbrush 100 can be placed in the container 20 in a closed position, and the resulting paintbrush 100 and container 20 assembly placed in a paint can or a solvent. If this is done, the bristles 108 while still remaining wet as a result of their immersion in paint or solvent, will not have the weight of the paintbrush 100 placed upon them as the base 32 of the container 20 is spaced from the ends 110 of the bristles 108. This prevents damage to the bristles 108.

As described below in connection with FIG. 4, the container 20 is biased to an open position by living hinge 34. In the closed position, this bias is resisted by couplers 28. Couplers 28 are illustrated in more detail in the sectional view of FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, each coupler 28 comprises a male member 38 mounted on one body portion and a female member 40 mounted on the other body portion. The male member 38 comprises a leading edge 42, and the male member 38 and female member 40 are located on their respective body portions relative to one another such that when the body portions are moved to a closed position, the tapered leading edge 42 pushes the male member 38 downwardly such that the male member 38 fits within the female member 40. When the male member 38 is fully inserted in the female member 40, mating surface 44 a of male member 38 abuts mating surface 44 b of female member 40. These mating surfaces are substantially parallel to one another and are perpendicular to the direction of insertion and extraction of the male member 38 into the female member 40. Thus, the bias provided by living hinge 34, which tends to withdraw the male member 38 from the female member 40, forces mating surfaces 44 a and 44 b together to hold the first body portion 22 and second body portion 24 together in the closed position.

Referring to FIG. 7, the container 20 in a closed position is illustrated in a side view.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated in a perspective view, a container 20′ in accordance with a second preferred aspect of the present invention. For clarity, the same reference numerals together with an apostrophe are used to designate elements analogous to those previously described in connection with FIGS. 1-7. The operation of the container 20′ is analogous to the operation of the container 20 of FIGS. 1-7, except that the container 20′ comprises ribs 31, which, when the container 20′ is in the closed position, press against the side surfaces 106 of the enclosable portion 102 of the paintbrush 100, thereby helping to impede movement of the paintbrush 100 relative to the container 20′.

Other variations and modifications of the invention are possible. For example, coupling mechanisms for holding the container 20 in a closed position other than those described above might be employed. All such modifications or variations are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto. 

1. A paintbrush container assembly comprising: a paintbrush having a bristle portion and a handle portion, the bristle portion having an associated maximum width and a plurality of bristles having a plurality of ends; and a container having (a) a first body portion for engaging an enclosable portion of the paintbrush, wherein the enclosable portion of the paintbrush includes the bristle portion of the paintbrush; (b) a second body portion for engaging the enclosable portion of the paintbrush and for moving relative to the first body portion between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position, the first body portion and the second body portion provide an open side for inserting and removing the enclosable portion of the paintbrush; and, in the closed position, the first body portion engages the second body portion to close the open side, to closely enclose the enclosed portion of the paintbrush, and to provide a base portion for bordering and protecting the plurality of ends of the plurality of bristles.
 2. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the paintbrush has a maximum depth; the first body portion and the second body portion in the closed position have a combined maximum depth; and, the combined maximum depth of the first body portion and the second body portion in the closed position is less than 1.3 multiplied by the maximum depth of the enclosable portion of the paintbrush.
 3. The assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein the combined maximum depth of the first body portion and the second body portion is less than 1.1 multiplied by the maximum depth of the enclosable portion of the paintbrush.
 4. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein, when the first body portion and the second body portion are in the closed position, the base is spaced from the plurality of ends to provide an enclosed space for protecting the plurality of ends.
 5. The assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein the first body portion and the second body portion are resistant to deformation to protect the enclosable portion of the paintbrush.
 6. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein, when the first body portion and the second body portion are in the closed position, the enclosable portion of the paintbrush is clamped between the first body portion and the second body portion to impede movement of the base toward and away from the plurality of ends.
 7. A method of storing a paintbrush having a bristle portion and a handle portion, the bristle portion having an associated maximum width and a plurality of bristles having a plurality of ends, the method comprising (a) engaging an enclosable portion of the paintbrush including the bristle portion of the paintbrush using a first body portion; (b) moving a second body portion relative to the first body portion between an open position and a closed position, wherein (i) in the open position, the first body portion and the second body portion provide an open side for inserting and removing the enclosable portion of the paintbrush; and, (ii) in the closed position, the first body portion engages the second body portion to enclose the open side, to closely enclose the enclosed portion of the paintbrush, and to provide a base portion for bordering and protecting the plurality of ends to the plurality of bristles.
 8. The method as defined in claim 7 wherein the method further comprises dimensioning the first body portion and the second body portion relative to the enclosable portion of the paintbrush such that the combined maximum depth of the first body portion and the second body portion in the closed position is less than 1.3 multiplied by the maximum depth of the enclosable portion of the paintbrush.
 9. The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the step of dimensioning the first body portion and the second body portion comprises dimensioning the first body portion and the second body portion relative to the enclosable portion of the paintbrush such that the combined maximum depth of the first body portion and the second body portion is less than 1.1 multiplied by the maximum depth of the paintbrush.
 10. The method as defined in claim 7 further comprising dimensioning the first body portion and the second body portion relative to the paintbrush such that when the first body portion and the second body portion are in the closed position, the base is spaced from the plurality of ends to provide an enclosed space for protecting the plurality of ends.
 11. The method as defined in claim 10 further comprising making the first body portion and the second body portion resistant to deformation to protect the enclosable portion of the paintbrush.
 12. The method as defined in claim 11 further comprising clamping at least a portion of the enclosable portion of the paintbrush between the first body portion and the second body portion to impede movement of the enclosable portion relative to the first body portion and the second body portion. 